Is Chocolate Banana Granola Bars, Organic Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Made Good
Made Good's Chocolate Banana Granola Bars, Organic is reviewed here as a snack. Zerotox gives it 75/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Banana Flavor.
75 / 100
Why score is 75
The composition includes agave nectar and brown rice syrup as sweeteners, which raise concerns about sugar content. Vegetable extracts provide some nutritional benefits, but the presence of banana flavor and sunflower oil indicates processing.
Main concern
Agave nectar and brown rice syrup may contribute to higher sugar levels.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains pure gluten free oats, providing a good source of whole grains.
- Includes vegetable extracts like spinach and broccoli, adding some nutritional value.
- Brown rice syrup and agave nectar are less processed sweeteners compared to refined sugars.
- Chocolate chips made from cane sugar and cocoa provide a familiar taste.
Concerns
- Agave nectar and brown rice syrup may contribute to higher sugar levels.
- Sunflower oil is a processed fat that raises concerns about quality.
- Banana flavor is artificial, indicating some level of processing.
- Inulin, while a fiber source, can cause digestive issues for some individuals.
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this snack, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Pure Gluten Free Oats safe in this snack?
Good
Pure Gluten Free Oats is used here as base. Pure gluten free oats serve as the primary ingredient, providing whole grains and fiber, which are beneficial for digestive health.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pure gluten free oats
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Is Agave Nectar safe in this snack?
Medium
Agave Nectar is used here as sweetener. Agave nectar is a sweetener derived from the agave plant, often considered healthier than refined sugars, but it is high in fructose, which can raise concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: agave nectar
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Is Brown Rice Syrup safe in this snack?
Medium
Brown Rice Syrup is used here as sweetener. Brown rice syrup is a sweetener made from brown rice, providing a less processed alternative to refined sugars, but still contributes to sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: brown rice syrup
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Is Bananas safe in this snack?
Good
Bananas is used here as base. Bananas are a natural source of sweetness and provide potassium and other nutrients, enhancing the nutritional profile of the bars.
Role in formula: base
Original: bananas
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Is Chocolate Chips safe in this snack?
Medium
Chocolate Chips is used here as flavor. Chocolate chips made from cane sugar, cocoa mass, and cocoa butter add flavor but also contribute to the overall sugar content of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: chocolate chips (cane sugar, cocoa mass, cocoa butter, vanilla)
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Is Sunflower Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Sunflower Oil is used here as base. Sunflower oil is a common cooking oil that is high in polyunsaturated fats, but its processing raises concerns about quality compared to more natural oils.
Role in formula: base
Original: sunflower oil
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Is Crisp Brown Rice safe in this snack?
Good
Crisp Brown Rice is used here as base. Crisp brown rice adds texture and is a whole grain, contributing to the overall fiber content of the bars.
Role in formula: base
Original: crisp brown rice
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Is Inulin safe in this snack?
Medium
Inulin is used here as fiber. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that can aid digestion but may cause discomfort in some individuals, raising concerns about its inclusion.
Role in formula: fiber
Original: inulin
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Is Molasses safe in this snack?
Medium
Molasses is used here as sweetener. Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production, providing some minerals but also contributing to the overall sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: molasses
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Is Vegetable Extracts safe in this snack?
Good
Vegetable Extracts is used here as natural_extract. Vegetable extracts from spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets, and shiitake mushrooms add color and some nutritional benefits, enhancing the product's appeal.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: vegetable extracts (spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets, shiitake mushrooms)
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Is Banana Flavor safe in this snack?
Bad
Banana Flavor is used here as flavor. Banana flavor is an artificial flavoring that indicates processing and may not provide the same benefits as natural ingredients.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: banana flavor
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Is Agar safe in this snack?
Medium
Agar is used here as stabilizer. Agar is a plant-based gelling agent used to stabilize the product, but it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: agar
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 3392864
More from this brand: Made Good products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.